The Lower Yarra River is governed via a variety of legislative and non-legislative mechanisms, which are administered by a number of State Government departments and authorities. These include statutory rules, court rulings, council bylaws, orders in council, notices, guidelines, practice statements, circulars, codes of practice and so on.
The following summary, provided by the Office of Regulation Reform, provides an overview of the major areas of control and influence.
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Major Agencies Department of Infrastructure The
Marine and Ports Division of D.O.I. provides advice on policy and regulations,
legislation reviews and safety and environmental matters. The Department
of Infrastructure also plays an overall policy coordination role for strategic
infrastructure along the river. Department of Sustainability and Environment The
Parks, Flora and Fauna Division of D.S.E. provides policy advice on marine
conservation, coastal issues and local ports. D.S.E. has an arrangement
with Parks Victoria to act as the responsible authority for managing the
Yarra River and associated waterways. Parks Victoria Parks Victoria is the major agency responsible for management of the Yarra River waterway. It is responsible for recreational and navigational management of the river from Charles Grimes Bridge to Dights Falls. Overall responsibilities include the licensing (business) of commercial boat operators, berth leases, licensing of ticketing facilities, event management and authorising river closures. On
a day to day basis, Parks Victoria manages uses of privately owned boats,
management of commercial craft, dredging for navigation, management of
most public landings, on-river patrolling, dispute management and has
input to strategic land/water development proposals. City of Melbourne The City of Melbourne has broad powers to carry out its functions under the Local Government Act 1989. Specific
to the Lower Yarra River, the City of Melbourne has responsibility for
the lower and upper promenade of Southbank, leases of the rowing sheds
and tourist signage in the area. While the ticket booth arrangements are
the responsibility of Parks Victoria, the booths were designed by the
City and comply with Council planning requirements. VicUrban VicUrban
has jurisdiction over Victoria Harbour and between Charles Grimes Bridge
and Bolte Bridge, including 25 metres of water from each bank of the Yarra
River. It can create local laws to regulate activities on the water and
can issue berthing licences and approve the use of berthing for its jurisidiction. Marine Safety of Victoria The M.S.V is the main agency responsible for safety on Victorian waters, including the Yarra River. It administers the Marine Act 1988, including registration of vessels, regulation of the operation of vessels, pollution prevention, international conventions and enforcement of laws relating to the operations of vessels. Main
responsibilities include the issuing of annual Certificate of Survey to
commercial vessels, surveying passenger vessels and hire drive vessels
with berthed accommodation, assessment and approval of new vessel design
and surveying the construction of new vessels.
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Other Agencies Water Police The
Water Police coordinate marine incidents involving recreational and commercial
vessels, and undertake patrols and community liaison. Water Police liaise
with Australian Search and Rescue, the Marine Board of Victoria, Australian
Volunteer Coast Guard and the Australian Marine Safety Association in
relation to incidents, and with Parks Victoria regarding the regulation
of signage. Melbourne Port Corporation M.P.C.
plans and coordinates use of land within the Port of Melbourne in relation
to berths and associated infrastructure adjoining the river, coordination
of land-based recreational opportunities and matters of environmental
management and risk within the port area. Melbourne Water Melbourne
Water is responsible for the environmental management of all waterways
(including the bed and banks of the Lower Yarra River) and major drainage
systems in relation to water quality, flood protection and floodplain
management affecting the river. Environmental Protection Authority The
EPA enforces the Environmental Protection Act 1970 and licenses discharges
of pollutants to the environment, including the Yarra River. The Authority's
responsibilities broadly encompass any matter affecting the environmental
condition of the river, as well as ensuring that proposals for use of
the river are consistent with the State Environment Protection Policy
-Schedule 7, Waters of the Yarra Catchment. Federation Square Management Federation Square is privately owned by Federation Square Management, a proprietary limited company wholly owned by the State Government of Victoria. Federation Square Management is responsible for managing leases at the site. While
a large portion is public space, the private ownership of the land means
that Federation Square Management, in collaboration with local authorites
(City of Melbourne and Victoria Police etc), plays a significant role
in the day-to-day management of the space. Federation Square Management
also has ownership of the former "vaults" area adjacent to Federation
Wharf (formerly Princes Wharf). Tourism Victoria This agency markets the attractions of the Yarra River through its intrastate, interstate and international programs.
It provides advice on significant tourism projects along the river, assesses
funding proposals for tourism projects along the river and, through affiliated
agencies such as Victorian Tour Operators Association and Melbourne Convention
and Visitors Bureau, it provides advice on professionalism and standards
for tourism operators. State Boating Council The S.B.C. provides advice to the Minister for Ports and the Marine Board on all matters relating to recreational boating facilities and boating safety.
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